Pedal Threading

Right- and left-hand pedals are threaded differently to prevent them from loosening while riding, and to create headaches for riders the world over. A little knowledge can prevent a lot of frustration.

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4 Comments

madisonbikerDecember 1, 2013 at 3:09 pm

not to prevent loosening. they are threaded the way they are to prevent overtightening from the pedaling motion. the threads would need be reversed (left hand thread on right pedal) to prevent loosening.

WeiDecember 1, 2013 at 5:32 pm

Wrong. The truth is the exact opposite.

The thread direction allows the pedals to unscrew themselves if the bearings seize while you’re in motion on a track/fixie bike, so that your feet don’t get ripped from your ankles. Modern bearings rarely seize, but it was a non-trivial problem 50 or 100 years ago.

Feel free to test this by using a set of tandem cranks on the opposite sides, or by using your current cranks reversed on a left-side-drive fixed gear assembly. Your pedals will unscrew.

natDecember 3, 2013 at 5:27 pm

erm , go out and loosen the pedals then ride as normal , they WILL come loose and drop out pedal backwards and they will screw back in , i think you will find that they are actually threaded that way for speed of assembly many years ago on the production line by one man both at the same time ! really!! by a certain large bicycle company and the idea spread ,

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